SWNOVELXO Chapter 131
The decision for the Dedorant to retreat was undoubtedly swift.
However, the movements of the Empire far exceeded their expectations.
The mobile units that had already infiltrated the rear were causing chaos.
The Eastern and Southern Legions, responsible for the Empire’s flanks, were moving rapidly.
Moreover, the Western Legion, which had appeared to be in retreat, along with the Eastern Allied Forces, surged back once more.
Shockingly, it took only two days for this to unfold.
“The movement speed of the Imperial Army reported is absurd!”
“Is this really what this map shows? It can’t be!”
“How can they be moving this fast?! Have the Empire forsaken even their supplies?!”
The speed of advance was unimaginable, even for the Dedorant Command.
Military movements aren’t simply about reaching the destination at a gallop.
There must be supplies and transportation units to accompany them.
If they advance to a certain point without supply support, they will crumble.
Naturally, the speed of these transportation units isn’t particularly quick.
Given the amount that the army consumes, how can they move with it quickly?
Doing so would only double the consumption of supplies by the transport units.
Yet, the Empire has somehow managed to make this a reality.
It wasn’t a world-flipping new technology or the invention of something novel.
Rather, it was driven by a singular resolve to repay the defeats they endured and the humiliation they suffered before.
With a powerful will to pour everything of the Empire into this offensive.
“We must show those who dream in vain. A dream is a dream only until one wakes. It is our Empire that shall shatter the glory you seek.”
Every time Kael, newly appointed as Chief of Staff, shouted this, the eyes of the Imperial soldiers sparkled.
They took pride in being one of the soldiers belonging to the Imperial Legion.
Yet, they also carried the history of a humiliating defeat at the hands of Dedorant’s schemes.
Pride and a thirst for revenge merged, creating an intense flame.
This flame spread in all directions. The Western 5th Legion was the first to ignite it.
When the 1st Legion volunteered to sacrifice itself in Setongrad, their fury intensified.
Among the remaining two Legions, the 1st Legion kept the enemy pinned down in Setongrad.
They were besieged and even made the insane choice of giving up their fortifications.
If you can look at that and feel nothing, then you can’t call yourself a legionnaire.
Proud Imperial Western Legion. Thus far, other comrades have paved the way to glory.
However, they could not return empty-handed, having achieved nothing.
“Attack! Attack! Bring down everything in sight!!”
Not long ago, they had intentionally retreated, suffering defeat at the hands of the Dedorant army.
While it was part of a strategy, their pride had taken a significant blow because of it.
And now that the opportunity to repay that humiliation had appeared, how could they let it slip away?
As soon as the infantry clashed, the outcome was decided in less than an hour.
The Western 5th Legion crushed the Dedorant forces with overwhelming momentum and began their pursuit.
Until then, their defeat had felt like mere deception. That was the impression they conveyed.
Next came the turn of the Eastern Legion and Southern Legion of the Empire.
These were the two flanks expected to play crucial roles in this large-scale siege.
Naturally, Kael deployed those who could boost morale to its peak at each location.
“Follow me! Just as we did in the East, wherever I go, there shall not be a single enemy remaining!”
At the forefront of the Eastern Legion stood Kaya, brandishing spear and sword as she charged into the battlefield.
With each stride she took, anyone blocking her path fell, bleeding.
The soldiers of Dedorant, seasoned troops, even elite knights fell to her onslaught.
War cannot be shaken by a single person’s presence.
However, battle can swing extremely based on an individual’s presence.
Moreover, the area the Eastern Legion was tasked with was relatively close to Atria.
“The Sword Demon of the Northern Front has appeared!”
“The moment weapons clash, you don’t even realize you are dying!”
“Hundreds of those mighty Atria knights have been swept away by none other than that knight!”
Fear becomes the worst poison for foes, and the finest medicine for allies.
The Imperial Legion is by no means weak enough to struggle against those whose morale is waning.
The Eastern Legion launched a terrifying offensive before Dedorant could even secure their defensive positions.
On the opposite side, Isabelle advanced with the Southern Legion.
“With you all, I fear nothing. Do not worry about me; worry only that you do not lag behind your fellow comrades. For the glorious victory of the Empire and His Majesty the Emperor!”
This wasn’t just a defensive battle; they could easily be counterattacked.
With the princess accompanying them on this treacherous path, the morale of the soldiers soared.
They knew: where the princess went, victory would certainly follow for the Empire.
As it has always been, the divine would bestow glorious victory once more!
Importantly, both flanks of the Empire had devoted the winter to strengthening their forces.
They diligently trained, stockpiling supplies steadily.
Ready to charge forth like arrows should proper attack orders be issued at any moment.
“The enemy didn’t even get to rest properly during the winter! If we are to lose here, it would be a disgrace for the Empire, let alone even tie up in a fierce contest!”
“Oh Eastern Legion! 7th Legion! 12th Legion! Let us etch our glory eternally here in the West, just as we did in the East! Let our names become immortal!!”
“6th Legion! 13th Legion! The Great Southern Legion that achieved tremendous victory! Let us once more seize that glory with our own hands!”
“Remember the 9th Legion! Do not forget the 14th Legion! Their souls await the Dedorants across the river of the dead! Do not keep them waiting any longer!!”
From the front, the flanks, and already from the rear, the Empire’s fierce assault was relentless.
Had Dedorant chosen to defend, perhaps they could have staved it off.
When defenders staunchly defend a position, attackers can find it daunting even with fierce momentum.
This had already been sufficiently proven with just the single stronghold of Setongrad.
The difference was that Dedorant’s rear was laid bare, exposed to the Empire’s mobile units.
Any routes required for retreating allied troops could be severed, leading to large-scale encirclement.
Focusing on the enemy in front of them while disregarding such fears isn’t something ordinary.
Above all, Dedorant faced limits in many areas.
Thus far, they had won victories in wars and snatched many ancillary gains.
The kingdom’s populace had also been deeply intoxicated, fervently supporting the high command.
However, recently, the luster of those victories had dulled significantly.
The news of victories of the Dedorant army and glorious deeds of the Deo Ethnicity had grown silent.
Instead, the threats tightening around them increased by the minute.
In such circumstances, if all the allied forces were encircled, they would inevitably crumble.
They must find a way to escape, regroup, and reassure their ranks.
With Atria and DeGale still to conquer, this was not the time to give up.
“We must let as many soldiers escape as possible.”
“We need to close the siege faster! Hurry up!”
Each nation’s commanders clenched their jaws for their opposing objectives.
Kael and Prince Georg Sistania anxiously scanned the state of war repeatedly.
Could they close it? Would they escape before it could close in?
The ultimate victors in this struggle were, after all, the Empire’s mobile units.
[ Key Point Blocked. Defensive Stronghold Neutralized ]
Though they had previously avoided battles with defensive strongholds, this time was different.
To sever the crucial routes, they would have to attack and capture those strongholds.
It was akin to attacking a hill fortified to some extent, even if it wasn’t a castle like Setongrad.
There were many casualties, yet all were elite cavalry from the Northern Legion.
“Damn it!”
On hearing the news, even Prince Georg couldn’t help but curse.
“Your Highness, if it has come to this, it is practically impossible to withdraw all forces.”
“Isn’t there a way to support our flanks and retreat?”
“The flanks of our troops are unstable as well, Your Highness! If we hesitate here, we’ll surely lose even the soldiers who barely made it out.”
Despite the results of a desperate breakout, they had still been able to extricate tens of thousands of soldiers.
However, tens of thousands more remained trapped in the grasp of the Imperial forces.
They wanted to rescue them, but doing so could lead to a total annihilation if they caught their rear in the process.
“Just a bit more, just a bit more.” The Dedorant commanders prayed.
Amidst it all, an unexpected piece of good news arrived.
The previously abandoned Paelus had regrouped the troops and repelled the Imperial forces.
“What a rare piece of good news! Yes, if the rear can hold on just a bit longer, if we can prevent the siege from closing, we will be able to regroup and open a new front from the side!”
If Kael had been present, he would have been laughing while speaking like that.
Most often, speaking brings about the opposite of what you intend.
Rather than opening one’s mouth carelessly, staying silent is the best course of action.
“Wow, Your Highness. The one in charge of the flank, Steiner…”
“Steiner has deemed defense impossible and chose to retreat. Steiner’s flank defense has collapsed.”
Those who should not have retreated ultimately did so.
They had just shoved aside whatever hope they had left.
Even Prince Georg couldn’t suppress his anger at this news.
“I commanded that it be held at all costs! That defense was an order! Steiner’s defense was an order!!”
At last, the flank of the Dedorant army crumbled as the encirclement began to accelerate.